Christmas under three flags

by Mary Emily Donelson Wilcox

San Fernando Cathedral

Awaking and seeing the scroll, Jesusa supposed she must be dreaming, then noticing her other treasures, she sprang from bed, calling: “Come madre, come padre; the angels have been here. See what they brought me. It must mean that the Holy Child smiles on me. You will go with me, will you not, carrissimos, to church and join me in grateful thanks for His Divine Favor,” and the adoring parents, unrestrained by thoughts of superstition or deception, encouraged their trusting child in her innocent delusion.

Eventful changes fill the succeeding years. The Texas settlers in the towns and counties contiguous to San Antonio, finding the tyranny and injustice of the Mexican authorities intolerable, determine to throw off all allegiance to them and organize a separate, independent government. The wise and effective means of resistance adopted culminate in the struggles at Gonzales and Goliad, where the Texans win decisive victories.

Emboldened by success, they advance on San Antonio, defended by General Cos with a large Mexican force, and after eight days of continuous skirmishing compel him to surrender. Entering the town, they garrison the Alamo with Texas troops and hoist over it the Lone Star Flag. The Alcalde, loyal to duty, had rendered valuable assistance to the Mexican commander and, when the latter retreated, retired with his family to his Salado ranch where, detained by Donna Inez’s serious illness, he remained until the recapture of San Antonio by Santa Anna restored Mexican supremacy. His two eldest sons fell at Goliad, bravely defending their national colors, and the two younger ones were killed a year later in a skirmish on the Rio Grande. Returning to San Antonio the day after the massacre of the brave defenders of the Alamo, he was shocked at the atrocities committed by Santa Anna and, condemning them in unmeasured terms, kindly sought to alleviate the sufferings of the Texans still remaining at the mission.

The defeat of Santa Anna at San Jacinto and his subsequent inglorious return to Mexico, effectually relieved Texas from Mexican thraldom, though the alternate occupation of San Antonio by Texans under Hays and Howard, and by Mexicans under Vasquez and Woll, resulted in prolonging chaotic conditions there for some years.

Don Pedro, gracefully yielding to the inevitable, made no effort to exercise his official functions after the organization of the Texas government. Known, however, as the Alcalde, he was deferred to by both Texans and Mexicans, and, always found acting with the upright and orderly, lost neither public respect nor influence.

When General Sam Houston was elected and inaugurated President of the Republic of Texas the citizens of San Antonio invited him to visit their town, and, on his acceptance of the invitation, they determined to give him a public reception to conclude with a ball and banquet. The Alcalde, asked to act as chairman of the reception committee, surprised every one by agreeing to do so and by advancing a handsome contribution towards defraying the expenses of the reception. The ball was given in the large hall of the Veramendi House and proved a gratifying success. President Houston was accompanied by his Staff, Chief of which was a handsome young officer, Captain Osborn, who, enlisting as a private at San Jacinto, had been promoted on the battlefield for conspicuous gallantry. He was selected to open the ball with the Alcalde’s daughter, Don Pedro himself presenting him to her. Then in the efflorescence of her maidenly charms, Jesusa was so lovely, her voice was so musical, her manner so gracious, that all hearts involuntarily crowned her queen of love and beauty.

And Captain Osborn, could he resist such fascinations? Nous verrons. Following the ball came a dinner at the Alcalde’s, then other entertainments given by hospitable San Antonians, at all of which Captain Osborn was Jesusa’s devoted attendant. People smiled and said: “How well they suit! What a fine match it would be!” Captain Osborn accompanied the President back to Washington, the first Capital of Texas, but returned to San Antonio in a few weeks, when the Alcalde announced his daughter’s betrothal to President Houston’s Chief of Staff.

One evening the lovers were walking together near the Alamo when he asked: “Do you remember once hanging a Christmas lamp in the angle of that corner?” “Of course I do. It is one of the dearest of my childish memories.” “And do you remember a little boy who once knelt to you in your father’s office and implored you to protect his sister?” “Oh!” said she, the light of memory restoring the boyish cast to his features, and recalling as if by magic that exciting scene, “Can it be? Yes, you must be, you are Cano.” “The dream of my life, Jesusa, has been to meet you again, and meeting you, the most cherished hope of my heart has been to win your love.” “Well, you have succeeded,” said she archly.